Warning: That cheap crimping tool I bought online cost me a whole afternoon

I was working on a comms harness for a Cessna 172 last month and needed to replace a few pins. My good tool was in my other box, so I grabbed a $25 crimper I got off a random website. The first crimp looked okay, but the pin just fell out during the continuity check. I spent three hours redoing six connectors before I gave up and drove to the shop to get my proper tool. Has anyone found a decent budget crimper that actually holds up, or is this just a 'buy once, cry once' thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

blair_lewis854d ago

What did you expect for twenty five bucks, a magic wand? Those cheap crimpers are basically just metal pliers with a dream. I've been there staring at a connector that just fell apart in my hands. It's always a false economy because you waste more in time and parts than the good tool costs. This is absolutely a buy once situation, especially on plane stuff.

gibson.seth1d ago

What brand did you end up going with for your good crimpers?

dakota1604d ago

Oh man, that's the worst! You basically paid twenty five bucks for a tool that just mashes the metal and hopes for the best. It's like trusting a toddler to do your wiring. My cheap one just folded the pin in half and called it a day. I swear they're just repackaged jewelry pliers with a fancy picture on the box.